Embattled by cutthroat pricing and limited in the parts they can use, netbook makers have to be craftier than ever to come out on top. The Samsung Go N310-13GB ($450 street) is dealt the same Intel Atom parts and basic features as every other netbook, but its looks might pique your interest. The bright orange exterior is one of four colors available with this model, and the edge-to-edge glass screen and "pebble" keyboard are sure to impress. Performance-wise, the 66-Wh battery is not only big, but turned in more than nine hours of battery life. If you're willing to pay a slight premium over top-notch netbooks like the Toshiba mini NB205 and the ASUS EeePC 1000HE, the N310-13GB won't disappoint.Draped in orange, the N310-13GB conjures up images of a life preserver or a ruggedized piece of luggage. The rubbery texture that surrounds the entire frame has the ability to withstand wear and tear, as well as your grimy fingers. Netbooks like the NB205 and the HP Mini 5101 achieve the same effect with their texturized chassis, whereas the shiny coats on the Acer Aspire One (D250-1165) and the Lenovo Ideapad S12 are smudge magnets. The round edges make the N310-13GB look more oval than boxy, which is another design element that shouldn't be overlooked. At 2.9 pounds, it's as heavy as the NB205 and the Dell Inspiron Mini 10v, but, in the case of the N310-13GB, that weight's mainly attributable to the large 6-cell battery.
